Al Hilal Fires Back: Official Statement Dismisses Jorge Jesus’ Allegations
17 January 2026
Context
Al Hilal fired back at Portuguese coach Jorge Jesus, manager of Al Nassr, in a formal statement published on the club’s official site, following his recent remarks against the Zaeem—the club’s nickname for its leader.
Media reports had suggested that Hilal planned to file a complaint against Jesus for alleging that the club maintains strong ties with major Saudi entities that supposedly help him win.
The club’s official statement described those remarks as unfounded allegations, saying they insult sport in general and the Saudi sports project in particular.
Official Response
The statement asserted that such comments do not align with the neutral, integrity-preserving principles that FIFA upholds and noted the ongoing Saudi sports renaissance thanks to wise leadership that makes Saudi football attractive to stars and fans worldwide.
It also stated that the club will pursue appropriate actions and filed a formal complaint with the relevant authorities to address the remarks.
The article further noted that legal expert Yaqoub Al-Mutair believes Jesus’ statements could carry a year-long ban and a fine of 300,000 SAR.
And as the match recirculation section shows, the Saudi Pro League continues to feature high-profile duels like Al Nassr vs Al Shabab—context, not a sideshow.
On January 17, 2026, the club’s announcement reiterated its belief in protecting the sport’s integrity and the country’s ambitious project.
And now for a little humor: If you can’t beat the facts, hire a good lawyer; if you can’t beat the opinion, blame the press—football edition, coming soon to a press release near you.
Sniper-style punchlines to cap it off: 1) If you can’t win on the pitch, win with headlines. 2) In football, the truth sometimes has an offside—replays waiting in the VAR room.
